Well yeh, Im aware. Im arguing against them having electorate offices and being paid as much as they are, plus having a small army or staffers.

Isnt it astounding that while they maintain that level of extraordinary spending on the tax payers dime, they increase the cost of living on tax payers?

What is used more by the community, Service SA centers which are being cut back or a politicians electorate office?

a) Electoral offices are so members of the public can see their local member (or their staff) easily when they have an issue, they're an important tenant of representative democracy.
b) When in opposition, you usually get one or two staffers if you're a shadow minister. The staffers in electoral officers primarily deal with constituent enquiries. Hardly a "small army"
c) What does the Government's cutting of Service SA centers have to do with someone in the opposition?

Imagine if they cut their own salaries to pre 2015 levels. They'd save a lot more then $600,000. Wonder if he thinks he deserves the pay rise he got, or if politicians should take a pay cut to save money?...

But I won't say too much more, because my legion of fans here will argue Im wrong.

Imagine if they cut their own salaries to pre 2015 levels. They'd save a lot more then $600,000. Wonder if he thinks he deserves the pay rise he got, or if politicians should take a pay cut to save money?...

But I won't say too much more, because my legion of fans here will argue Im wrong.

Is that per year, week or day? $600,000/$31 is not quite 20% of the size of the public service, so do you mean a $31/week payrise for every SA public servant would cost the employer $600,000 per weekday?

Imagine if they cut their own salaries to pre 2015 levels. They'd save a lot more then $600,000. Wonder if he thinks he deserves the pay rise he got, or if politicians should take a pay cut to save money?...

But I won't say too much more, because my legion of fans here will argue Im wrong.

Is that per year, week or day? $600,000/$31 is not quite 20% of the size of the public service, so do you mean a $31/week payrise for every SA public servant would cost the employer $600,000 per weekday?

Public servants face being stripped of an expected $31 a year pay increase as the State Government urges a court to overturn the modest pay bump and help make Budget savings.

Treasurer Rob Lucas is appealing to the Supreme Court and seeking it to strike down an increase in leave loading for thousands of public servants, including nurses and departmental officers.

He says the rise would cost taxpayers an extra $600,000 per year and can’t be justified as the Government scrambles to fill a Budget hole caused by a GST crash.

The Government is appealing the judgment on grounds that the rise should be held to just 2 per cent, in line with other public sector benefits, and not pegged to a recent decision that lifted national minimum wages by 3.5 per cent.

It comes as the Government also enters broader pay talks with police, teachers and other frontline staff with warnings that tight financial times demand wage restraint.

This from the people who take pay rises from $30,000 on the lower end for back benchers to $60,000 for the premier without blinking or thinking about the states finances.
You work that out, we have 69 politicians who each took a minimum $30,000 pay rise a few years ago. Lucas wants to save $600,000 a year by preventing public servants from receiving an extra $31 a YEAR in leave entitlements. The pay rise the politicians got a few years ago is costing the tax payer over $2 million extra a year.
Has the cost of living gone up by that much that they actually need that money on top of the already huge six figure salaries they receive?

I was under the impression that the pay rise was given in return for a reduction or removal in Minister and Premier pensions and/or retirement entitlements. That's what happened federally a few years ago.

I was under the impression that the pay rise was given in return for a reduction or removal in Minister and Premier pensions and/or retirement entitlements. That's what happened federally a few years ago.

They had travel entitlements cut, worth about $13,000, and got a minimum pay rise three times the amount. From what i read anyway.

The Kiwi PM has rejected a 3% pay rise. It gets recommended by an independent body there as it does here. Our government accepted a similar increase for the end of the year. And of course our state government and opposition accepted a pay rise a few years ago.

This is part of what she said..

"Because we, of course, already are on a high income ... One of the things we've been trying to bridge as a government is the fact that we see these increases at the top end of the scale, without the same increase at the end of the scale where most New Zealanders sit."

TEN BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE STATE BUDGET
- Regional roads and transport infrastructure: $1.1 billion over eight years
- City transport upgrades such as level crossings and congestion busting projects: $734 million
- Sand carting and replenishment at metropolitan beaches: $48.4 million over four years
- School and VET infrastructure: $1.4 billion over 4 years, plus a $611m increase in 2022-23 compared to 2018-19
- Women's and Children's Hospital: $550 million provisioned to start building, plus a further $69.1 million for the Repat
- Aboriginal Art and Culture Gallery at Lot 14: $150 million
- Housing stimulus package: $104.5 million, including deposit gap loans up to $10,000 and a $21.4 million construction program
- Car rego slashed: Compulsory Third Party insurance premium for running an average car to be cut by up to $114 per year
- Fees and charges rise: One-off 5 per cent increase in 2019-20
- Marketing South Australia: $33 million over five years

Budget in more detail from the Advertiser:

State Budget 2019: What it means for your suburb

THE CITY

An Aboriginal Art and Cultures Gallery will open at Lot Fourteen, with the State Government allocating $150 million towards the project in its 2019/20 budget.

It would be the “national centrepiece” of contemporary and historical Aboriginal art.

Premier Steven Marshall said the gallery would be a unique experience for locals and tourists alike.

“Exhibiting Australia’s unique Aboriginal art and culture in a world-class gallery at Lot Fourteen will make Adelaide a destination of choice for national and international cultural tourists,” Mr Marshall said.

“The gallery will create employment opportunities for Aboriginal South Australians, and work with other institutions to shape the facility into a research centre for the teaching of indigenous culture, language and history.”

$2.6 million would also be spent upgrading the storage space that currently holds and protects the state’s collection of Aboriginal cultural material.

The final design and cost of the project is yet to be determined.

What else we can expect for the city

- $16.5 million towards an upgrade of SA Police’s Communication Centre on Carrington St to safeguard the building from a one-in-500-year earthquake.
- $18 million towards capital works at Adelaide High School, allowing the school to eventually increase enrolments by 1800 spaces.
- $150 million towards the Aboriginal Art and Cultures Gallery at Lot Fourteen.
- $3.8 million over three years to attract Adelaide Festival major performances.
- $10 million for infrastructure improvements to the Memorial Drive centre court precinct, including a new roof to cover the centre court area.
- $9.2 million over three years for asset renewal and replacement at the National Wine Centre.
- An additional $588,000 funding, over two years, to support the establishment of international defence companies at Lot Fourteen.
- $182 million towards the redevelopment of the Adelaide Festival Plaza.
- $11.7 million, over four years, for upgrades of the Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Coopers Stadium.
- $43.5 million to buy the Sir Samuel Way court building in Victoria Square
- $60 million, over three years, for construction of the International Centre for Food, Hospitality and Tourism Studies on Lot Fourteen, with the Commonwealth Government to contribute $30 million.

- $98 million to upgrade the intersection of Magill Road and Portrush Road
- $61 million to upgrade the intersection of Cross Road and Fullarton Road
- $35 million to upgrade the intersection of Glen Osmond Road and Fullarton Rd.

The Federal Government will provide half of the funds for all of the projects. Spending is spread across four years with peaks in 2021-22 for the first two and across three years for the third project, although the work is expected to be completed in shorter time frames.

The eastern suburbs also will benefit from upgrades to park ’n’ ride facilities on the O-Bahn.

Of $33.5 million allocated in the previous two budgets, some $30.4 million has yet to be spent. The former government’s plan to upgrade the Tea Tree Plaza site was deferred in favour of upgrading Paradise instead.

A North East Public Transport study now nearing conclusion will investigate more O-Bahn park ’n’ ride upgrades, including Golden Grove and Klemzig.

The Adelaide City Deal, which is mostly centred on Lot Fourteen, includes $3 million for a visitor centre at Carrick Hill House in Springfield.

SOUTH

A fourth lane will be added to Flagstaff Rd, with the State Government allocating an extra $26.5 million towards the long-awaited project.

Flagstaff Rd is currently three lanes, with the middle lane, between Main South Rd and Bonneyview Rd, changing direction in peak hour to ease morning and afternoon congestion. Residents and community groups have campaigned for the extra lane for at least a decade saying the road is confusing and unsafe.

The fourth lane, to create a two-lane dual carriageway, brings the total cost of the project to $32.9 million.

The Government also allocated $35 million over three years towards the $60 million upgrade of the notorious intersection at Springbank, Daws and Goodwood roads.

That project, which also has $17.5 million funding from the Federal Government, is expected to be completed by 2021/22.

What the south can expect

- $8 million towards a new station on the Tonsley line, which will have improved lighting, security and accessibility. It comes alongside the previously announced $125 million to extend the line to Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University.
- $35 million, over three years, towards a $60 million project to create a four-way intersection at Springbank, Daws, Goodwood roads.
- A further $26.5 million towards the widening of Flagstaff Rd, making it a permanent two-lane dual carriageway. Total funding allocated to the project is $32.9 million.
- $2.5 million worth of infrastructure towards Glenthorne National Park in O’Halloran Hill.
- $26.1 million to start the $69.1 million Repatriation Health Precinct project.
- $305 million committed to duplicate Main South Rd from Seaford to Aldinga.
- $92 million to duplicate Victor Harbor Rd, between Main South Rd and McLaren Vale;

WEST

Significant investment in saving Adelaide’s coastline will be well received by coastal residents who’ve built their lives around beaches that are rapidly disappearing.

Elsewhere in the west, however, spending is sparse.

The western suburbs have long suffered from the conundrum of being such safe Labor territory that the ALP feels no need to pork barrel and the Liberals see it as a waste of time.

Save for some school investment, this budget is status quo.

What the west can expect

- Seaview High will receive part of a $56.6 million package to improve buildings to help meet projected increased enrolment as a result of Year 7 moving to high school, as well as a slice of $22 million for new projects.
- Brighton Secondary will be given $13.8 million to boost its enrolment from 1600 to 1800.
- $48.4 million will be spent restoring and preserving metropolitan beaches, particularly West and Henley beaches. An extra 500,000 cubic metres of sand will be purchased for $20 million and $28.4 million put towards a sand pipeline from
Semaphore to West Beach.
- An overpass or underpass will be built at the Brighton Rd level crossing in Hove for $171 million, which is currently closed for about 25 per cent of peak travel time.
- $810,000 will be allocated over the next two financial years to extend the Tiraapendi Wodli Port Adelaide Justice Reinvestment Project, which aims to reduce Aboriginal family violence and youth crime.

NORTH

School and transport upgrades are in store for the north, with secondary schools set to receive extra space under a $66 million plan to cope with increasing enrolments.

Six different high schools will receive between $10m and $12m for upgrades to make extra space.

Almost $38 million will be spent upgrading two busy road intersections at Salisbury and Gepps Cross while nearly $300 million will go to the electrification of the Adelaide-Gawler railway line.

What the north can expect

- $297 million to continue the electrification of the Adelaide-Gawler railway line
- $129 million for the completion of the $880 million Northern Connector
- $14.8 million for the upgrade of Golden Grove Rd
- $4.68 million to continue the Gawler East Link road project.
- $2 million to start the $19 million upgrade of the intersection of Main North Rd, McIntyre and Kings Rd
- $2 million to start the $19 million upgrade of the intersection of Grand Junction, Hampstead and Briens Rd
- $1.48 million towards $12m upgrade of Craigmore High School
- $1.6 million towards $10m upgrade of Gawler and District College
- $2.1 million towards $12m upgrade of Golden Grove High School
- $1.7 million towards $10m upgrade of Parafield Gardens High School
- $4 million towards $12m upgrade of Paralowie School
- $1.7 million towards $10m upgrade of Salisbury High School
- $12 million towards ongoing $58m expansion of Lyell McEwin Hospital emergency department
- $31.8 million towards $96.6m upgrade of Modbury Hospital

New spending on Aboriginal affairs is concentrated on arts and cultural artefacts– with $500,000 pledged to finalise the design and ongoing operating model of the new National Aboriginal Art and Cultures Gallery at Lot Fourteen, and $2.6 million over the next two financial years on an upgrade to the Aboriginal Cultural and Collection Storage facility at Netley.

Spruiking the Government’s investment in the National Aboriginal Art and Cultures Gallery this morning, Treasurer Rob Lucas said the business case for the facility was currently being drafted.

“It’s not just an art project, it is critically an economic driver and a job driver for the state,” he said.

“It’s a decision that will require courage from the Government and from the community.”

ARTS & CULTURE

Funding cuts for festivals such as the Adelaide Fashion Festival and the Motor Sport Festival were already made public.

However, the Government will also deliver savings of under half a million dollars by exercising “operational efficiency” measures in the Department of Education. The efficiency action will target arts and humanities organisations, such as Carclew Youth Arts, the Windmill Theatre Company and the History Trust of South Australia.

The South Australian Film Corporation’s Production Investment Fund will receive an additional $6 million to help finance local and international screen productions in South Australia.

The budget also allocates an extra $1.25 million to the Adelaide Festival over the coming three years.

THE CITY

A further $350,000 over three years has been pledged towards coordinating the development of Lot Fourteen at the former Royal Adelaide Hospital site.

Adelaide Railway Station will receive a $2.7 million upgrade to its exterior heritage façade, with those restoration works scheduled to start this financial year.

Although it technically sits outside the city realm, the Enfield Memorial Park will receive a noteworthy funding boost to the tune of $25 million over four years.

The Government says that money will be spent on building a new “multi-function” cemetery complex including reflection rooms and lounge areas, an on-site café and florist, and new park space.

Crematorium facilities will also be upgraded as part of the multi-million dollar redevelopment.

COURTS

The State Government will spend more than $40 million on buying the Sir Samuel Way building in Victoria Square, eschewing fears of an unprecedented justice system budget cut.

Today’s state budget includes $43.5 million for the to buy the Sir Samuel Way Building, which houses the District Court, from Funds SA, ending the Courts Administration Authority’s obligation to pay rent on it.

According to the government, this will result in savings to the authority’s budget of $6 million each year.

EDUCATION

The Budget promises to spend roughly $163 million over five years to address enrolment growth and other structural works at government schools.

The Berri Senior Campus of Glossop High School will also receive a campus redevelopment, valued at $17.2 million over five years aimed to better suit its 800 students.

In a move designed to attract more foreign workers to South Australia, dependents of temporary skill shortage visa holders (457 to 482) attending public schools will be exempted from paying student contribution fees, by the government introducing a $350,000 offset in this budget.

TAFE SA will be provided with an extra $25.5 million over four years in response to “lower forecasts for external revenue growth”.

TAFE SA will reform its operations to be “competitive” in the provision of Vocational Education and Training services.

ENVIRONMENT & WATER

Lucas’s spending in this portfolio includes a strong focus on Adelaide’s beaches with the Treasurer declaring; “West Beach has disappeared under the policies of past administrations.”

The Budget will allocate $52.4 million to protect and secure metropolitan beaches, such as West Beach, and also grant funding for a range of regional coastal works.

These erosion works include the Great Southern Ocean work receiving a cash injection of $6 million over four years to connect the parks running from the Southern Coastline of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Parks will also be a benefactor as the Glenthorn National Park will be provided $2.5 million to for its continued infrastructural development.

In a bid to raise $8 million in net revenue over four years, the Government will sell off Crown Land that is “surplus to requirements.”

In a sting to the local government sector in Adelaide, the cost to residents and metropolitan councils of dumping hard rubbish will rise dramatically, with the solid waste levy increasing to $103 to $110 a tonne from July 1, then jumping to $140 a tonne from January 1 next year.

The price hike will raise $14.8 million across the new financial year, rising to $24.9m from 2020/21.

The increase aims to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, and encourage recovery and recycling.

Charities which have to dump unwanted goods as part of donations will pay half the charge from January 1 next year.

The solid waste levy will fund $10m over four years to help councils and the waste management industry to modernise and transition in the wake of international markets refusing to accept exported Australian recyclables.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

The new Women’s and Children’s Hospital will be provided $550 million in funding to commence construction.

The final development cost of the hospital will be identified next year and the Government estimates it will be completed in 2025-26 rather than 2024.

Modbury Hospital will receive upgrades valued at $97 million for a new acute ward for complex surgery, a palliative care facility, and an acute medical unit, among others.

The Repatriation General Hospital will be provided with a new specialised brain and spinal industry rehabilitation facility and will be given additional Commonwealth Government funding of $30 million.

HOUSING

The Budget has announced a $104.5 million housing stimulus package to boost home ownership and increase jobs in the South Australian construction industry.

The package will include an interest-free deposit gap loan of up to $10,000 – to be provided from a $2 million Affordable Housing Fund administered by HomeStart.

The loan will be available from September this year for a period of two years.

An additional $21.3 million will be provided to start a housing construction program, which the Government estimates will build a total of 90 new homes – many of which Lucas said would fit the affordable price bracket.

A further $21.1 million will be spent on establishing a preventative maintenance and upgrade program, to be coordinated through the SA Housing Authority.

Lucas said the total package will result in around 170 new housing contracts being entered into and around 120 additional housing placements for those struggling to buy an existing property.

TRANSPORT

Cyclists, public transport users and those living in regional towns are expected to bear the brunt of a $19.9 million funding cut over four years to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

The Government says the cut will align with a rationalisation of “corporate services and lower priority programs” and will include a reduction in grants to local councils for cycling programs, a reduction in funding to regional airports and a review of the Living Neighbourhoods road safety program.

Public transport fares will increase by two per cent, with the Government also reintroducing the $5.00 purchase cost for new Metrocards – saving $712,000 each year from 2019-20.

The Government has previously flagged that it will remove the two-section public transport fare to avoid fare evasion in circumstances where passengers pay for a two-section fare but travel more than two sections. That cut will save the Government an additional $1.1 million each year.

Outer area concessions for motor vehicle registrations – currently applied to residents of Kangaroo Island, Coober Pedy and Roxby Downs – will be cut by 50 per cent this financial year, and axed entirely by 2020/21.

There was no mention in the Budget papers of a privatisation of the state’s rail fleet – despite earlier suggestions from Marshall and Transport Minister Stephan Knoll that the Government was open to the idea.

Much of the Government’s transport spending has focussed on previously foreshadowed regional road projects and transport infrastructure programs including the North-South Corridor and level crossing upgrades.

The Horrocks Highway and Victor Harbor Road duplication will receive $330 million, the Princes Highway will receive $250 for upgrades and $275 will be spent on upgrades to roads around Renmark, Cockburn and Port Augusta.

The Government will also spend $834 million over four years on various road safety measures, including increasing penalties for high-risk offences and increased funding to improve dangerous roads under the National Blackspot Program. The regional road spending is designed to allow the Government to meet its election promise to increase speeds on a select collection of regional roads.

Interesting to see a Liberal government spend $44 million restoring public ownership of the courts building. I wonder if that outlay makes the off-the-agenda but envisaged court complex on the reserved land behind the Supreme Court an even more distant prospect.

Interesting to see a Liberal government spend $44 million restoring public ownership of the courts building. I wonder if that outlay makes the off-the-agenda but envisaged court complex on the reserved land behind the Supreme Court an even more distant prospect.

According to the article seems its about saving money by eliminating rent paid. It doesn't change the need for a new building or complex.

How do you know that just out of interest? I can't see anything on the website that suggests it's progressing - the status is still showing as 'in design' which has been the case since at least as far back as January 2018.